Chapter 478 - 210: Li Fire
"There’s just so much good stuff. It’s a shame Contribution Points don’t go very far."
Chen Qing sighed. He knew the most pressing matter was still to solidify his foundation.
He flipped to the Heavenly and Earthly Treasures section and found the primary goal of his trip—the Earth Core Fire Lotus, priced at eighteen hundred Contribution Points.
This item contained pure Fire Element Power, and it was the key to his next step: condensing the Fire True Astral.
Without further hesitation, he took the catalog back to the window and pointed to the Earth Core Fire Lotus. "Steward, I’d like to redeem this item."
The Steward glanced over and said expressionlessly, "Eighteen hundred points."
He also motioned for Chen Qing to present his Contribution Point tokens.
Chen Qing handed both tokens over.
"From your Identity Token, I’ll deduct eight hundred points. From this unmarked token, one thousand points. This one has one hundred and fifty points remaining."
The Steward handed the two tokens back to Chen Qing, along with a numbered Wooden Token. "Take this to Warehouse C-7 to collect your item."
"Thank you, Steward."
Chen Qing took the tokens, thinking to himself.
’The thousand points from the Shen Family are down to one hundred fifty in the blink of an eye, and I’ve spent most of my monthly stipend too. These Contribution Points really don’t go far.’
’Thankfully, Elder Sang left me plenty of Quenching Gang Pills before he departed. Otherwise, I’d be hard-pressed for the elixirs I need for my daily cultivation.’
Following the directions, Chen Qing arrived at the warehouse district behind Wanxiang Hall.
The security here was visibly tighter, and the atmosphere was solemn.
He found Warehouse C-7. An old, one-armed man in a gray robe sat at the entrance, resting with his eyes closed.
Chen Qing presented the Wooden Token. "Senior, this disciple, Chen Qing, has come to collect his redeemed goods."
The one-armed old man slowly opened his eyes. He glanced at the Wooden Token. "The Earth Core Fire Lotus?"
"Yes," Chen Qing responded.
Without another word, the old man rose and walked into the warehouse.
A moment later, he returned with a Jade Box, which he casually handed to Chen Qing.
Chen Qing took the Jade Box and opened it a crack. A wave of scorching, pure fire energy immediately washed over him. Inside, a perfectly formed lotus, as crimson as a flame, lay quietly, its radiance contained within. It was undoubtedly the Earth Core Fire Lotus.
"If the item is in order, you may leave."
Having said his piece, the old man closed his eyes again, as if the outside world had nothing to do with him.
Chen Qing took a deep breath, carefully stowed the Jade Box, bowed to the old man once more, and then turned to leave the warehouse district.
Clutching the Jade Box that held the Earth Core Fire Lotus and feeling the surging Fire Element Power within, Chen Qing’s heart filled with anticipation.
’Next, I’ll cultivate the Crimson Sun Heart-Burning Technique to the Fifth Layer, and then I can fuse the four True Astrals!’
He strode toward his small courtyard on Xu Wang Mountain.
Chen Qing returned to his residence on Xu Wang Mountain. He calmed his mind and focused his spirit, preparing to advance the Crimson Sun Heart-Burning Technique to the Fifth Layer and refine the Li Fire True Astral.
However, just two days into his seclusion, a piece of news landed like a boulder in a calm lake, instantly sending massive waves across Xu Wang Mountain.
Wu Anren of Dubhe Mansion—ranked first in the selection and hailed as the most promising "True Successor Candidate"—was challenging the Celestial Treasure Tower!
As the news spread, the previously tranquil Xu Wang Mountain instantly began to stir.
Everyone knew that this tower-climbing attempt was completely different from the selection. It was a true test of one’s combat limits and, more importantly, would affect the final rankings that determined monthly resource allocations a few months from now.
Wu Anren’s move had undoubtedly set a benchmark for everyone, prematurely igniting the fires of competition.
In an instant, figures began to speed toward the Celestial Treasure Tower, some alone, others in small groups.
Chen Qing was hurriedly summoned by Shen Xiuyong, and he met up with Qiao Hongyun, Zhu Yu, Kong Yian, and other acquaintances to head over together.
The plaza outside the Celestial Treasure Tower was every bit as crowded as it had been on the day of the selection.
Nearly all the geniuses from the Hundred Sects had gathered, naturally forming into small cliques.
Chen Qing’s group included Qiao Hongyun, Shang Lujing, Wang Bo, and Zhuo Xiaoyun, among others. Shen Xiuyong, of course, stuck close to Chen Qing’s side.
Not far away, He Shuang was watching the Treasure Tower by herself.
Her aura seemed more condensed and profound than it had been a few days prior. She had clearly benefited greatly from becoming a Direct Disciple to a True Essence Realm Elder.
Chen Qing’s gaze swept over the crowd, and he keenly sensed several figures with profound auras standing in twos and threes on distant pavilions or high ground.
’Those are probably the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect’s own Inner Sect Elites,’ he thought. ’There might even be spies for some of the True Disciples mixed in.’
’The appearance of a "True Successor Candidate" signifies a potential threat. They have no choice but to pay attention.’
"I wonder which layer this Wu Anren can reach."
Shen Xiuyong said with a hint of anticipation, "I heard the final rankings in six months will be largely based on the results from challenging this tower."
Qiao Hongyun’s expression was grave as he chimed in, "I’ve asked around. There’s an unwritten rule within the Sect: if you can pass the thirtieth layer, you’re considered a ’True Successor Candidate.’ Supposedly, the record for the lowest-ranked True Disciple is only the thirty-first layer."
A sharp glint flashed in Shang Lujing’s eyes. His rank was already high, making him one of the most ambitious for the "True Successor Candidate" position. He said in a low voice, "Let’s just watch for now. We’ll see how deep the water is after Wu Anren tests it for us. His performance will be our most important frame of reference."
All eyes snapped to the massive stone stele beside the Celestial Treasure Tower.
At that moment, behind the name "Wu Anren" on the stele, a number was rapidly climbing!
Sixteenth layer, seventeenth layer, eighteenth layer... He was advancing with almost no resistance, at a shocking speed.
"So fast!"
"That’s Wu Anren for you, with his superior aptitude. These early layers are probably no challenge for him at all."
Low murmurs spread through the crowd.
Twentieth layer, twenty-first layer... The number continued its steady, rapid climb.